Improvement in vault-covers



T. HYATT.

Improvement in VauIt-Covers:

Patented June 25,18721 minim: 77. a gnom W 0 a? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORE HYATT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN VAULT-COVERS. I

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 128,311, dated June 25, 1872.

improvement in covers for vault-1i gh ts, where by ventilation is obtained by simply raising the cover, without removing it from its bedplate. The ordinary vault-light cover is so constructed that thevaultbeneath cannotbe effectually ventilated except by removing the cover and providing the vault-hole with a frame or guard to prevent accident, which arrangement occasions much trouble, beside obstructing the sidewalk. By my improvement all such objections are obviated; and the invention consists in raising the cover from the inside, so that there will be an annular opening around and beneath it, the construction being as hereinafter more fully described.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a top or plan view partly in section. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A represents an annular bed-plate, which is laid level with the sidewalk, made of castiron or other suitable material, which may be made round, rectangular, or of other form, and of suitable dimensions. This plate or bed is cast with three (more or less) guideslots, B, (see Fig. 1,) consisting of projecting lugs O O, and with a cross-bar, D. E represents the cover, in which pieces of glass, F, more or less in number, may be inserted. This cover is cast crowning from the bed-plate, and, to protect the glass F, small knobs G are cast on the cover. On the under side of the cover, and hanging vertically therefrom, three (more or less) guide-lugs, H, are cast, which engage with the guide-slots B in the bed-plate. I represents a pin put through each of the lugs H beneath the guide-slots to prevent the cover from being taken entirely off. J represents pieces of India-rubber tubing on the guide-lugs H, through which the pins 1 pass. K is the thumb-screw, the end of which is fastened to the center of the cover so that it can freely turn therein. It works through the cross-bar D, in which a screw thread is cut. The coveris raisedfrom thebedplate by this screw when it is desired to ventilate the vault, which leaves an annular opening,

L, between the plate and the cover, the direction of the air being indicated by the arrows. This annular opening L can be varied by the screw, as may be desired. When raised, as seen in the drawing, the rubber keeps the cover level and preserves the opening as regulated by the screw. m is a rib on the top of the bed-plate, which prevents water and dirt from getting into the vault. n represents teats cast on the plate to prevent the toes of passers-by from catching under the cover. The cover may be closed down tightly on the bed by the screw; the India-rubber spring J will in such case be compressed. This cover is readily removed for repairs or other purposes by taking out the pins that confine the screw, and the pins I in the lugs H.

I do not limit or confine myself to the preciseform or arrangement of any of theparts described, as they may be varied in many ways without departing from my invention. Instead of the guide-slots and lugs B and H there may be screws in place thereof; but I prefer the arrangement shown. These covers may be of any shape-square, oblong, or any other form-- so long as an opening for ventilation is made by raising it from the bed-plate.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent l. A ventilating vaultcover constructed with a bed-plate having the teats or guards at (or their equivalent) and a movable cover to be raised and lowered from the bed-plate, substantially as described.

2. The guide-slots B, pendent guide-lugs H, pins I, and rubber pieces J on the guide-lugs H, for the purposes described.

3. The screw K and bar D, in combination with a ventilating illuminating vault-cover, substantially as described.

THEODORE HYATT.

Witnesses:

T. B. Mosnna, FRANK BLORKLEY. 

